Divine Authority In Religion & Worship - Brian Osburn

There's a story that's taken from Max Lucado has booked the

in the eye of the storm. And it's a, it's a story about a

man named, Frank Kaku, illustrates the importance of

obeying, the laws of the lighthouse.

And he says, is, I'm a quote from this excerpt here.

He says, two battleships assigned to the training.

Squadron had been at Sea On Maneuvers in heavy weather for

several days. I was serving on the lead

Battleship and was on W on the bridge as night.

Filled the visibility was poor with patchy fog.

So, the captain remain on the bridge, keeping an eye on all

the activities, well shortly after dark to look out on the

wing. Reported light bearing on the

starboard belt and the captain called out, is it steady or

moving a Stern? The lookout replied study

Captain, which meant that we run a dangerous Collision Course

with that ship. Well, the captain in called to

the signalman signal that ship and tell them we're on a

collision course and advise that you change course, 20 degrees.

And the replying signal was advisable for you to change

course, 20 degrees. The captain said, tell them.

I'm a captain change course, 20 degrees.

I'm a seaman second class came, the reply, you had better change

course, 20 degrees by that time. The captain was Furious.

He spat out. Tell him.

I'm a battleship change course. 20 degrees.

Back came the flashing light. I'm a lighthouse.

We changed course. You know, oftentimes in the

religious world people just aren't satisfied with

surrendering themselves and their will holy unto God.

You know they convince themselves that a slight

variation off course with a variation, may be only of 20

degrees. Really, What mattered to them or

to anybody. What they don't understand is

that our God is steadfast, and he is unchangeable and like that

Lighthouse, he will tell us where to go, but he himself will

not move. We are the ones who are need to

be guided, well like that ship up on the stormy sea.

We as humans are certainly are in need of guidance.

In life, we need help deciphering right from wrong and

we must be shown the course to follow.

If we plan to land safely on the far off shore and we must make

certain that our actions and decisions are Guided by one who

actually knows how to get us there.

Well, in this study this afternoon, We're going to first

of all take a look at why all true.

Religious religious Authority comes from the almighty God.

And then secondly this afternoon we're going to take a look at

various ways in which God's will is made known unto Mankind and

then thirdly this afternoon we're going to take a look at

some few practical applications of which hits just a little bit

closer to home. And so let's begin about all

true religious religious Authority originating.

And Coming from the almighty God.

And the first reason that all true religious Authority comes

from God, is because of the principle of ownership, the

principle of ownership. Now, when you think about it,

everything that you can think of everything in this universe,

especially the church. It belongs to God.

And that alone demands our obedience you know you look at

several verses that explain this one thing in this one thought

you look at what, what Luke wrote in Acts 17 and 24, God who

made the world and everything in it since he is, Lord of Heaven

and Earth. You also look back to the Old

Testament in first Chronicles, 29 11.

It says they're declaring this about God's ownership.

You Yours O Lord is the greatness, the power and the

glory, the Victory. And the Majesty for all that is

in heaven and in Earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom.

Oh Lord, and you are exalted as head over all. even another

verse, as we skip on back to access to the book of Acts

particularly 20:28, It also says At the Church of God, which he

has purchased with his own blood.

And so we see all these things about the ownership of God.

He owns everything well to practice things not authorized

by God is to fail to honor our head and our owner.

Now let's use an illustration about our own property.

You know, no one has the right to use your property without

your permission. And it's because it violates the

principle of ownership. Now.

For example, no one can use your car without you telling him,

okay. You could use my car.

Now even then, even if you give someone permission to use your

car, maybe you say you could use my car but you can only use it

to go down to the store. Now, that doesn't necessarily

mean that they have Authority or permission to take it all over

town or do whatever they want to with your car because you've

said the limit and to allowing them to use part of your

property. And so likewise, if we belong to

God, and specifically the church belong to Jesus, then right,

what, right? Two people have choosing a

practice things that are different from what the owner

has already chosen for them to be practiced.

What? Right?

Demand have making rules for the church or authorizing practices

that are not included in what God has already authorized.

Well, God does not have to specifically, say not to do

certain things because all of such things are rom, simply

because they violate the principle of ownership.

And the fact of the matter is, no one has the right to use

God's Property without his own permission, and we get his

permission in his own word. Now, moving on, to the second

principle. And the second reason that all

true religious Authority comes from God, is because of the

principle of Wisdom. Now, when you think about God's

wisdom, God's wisdom, as we all know, is infinitely above that a

man and it is upon his wisdom that we rely upon and not our

own wisdom, because what does our wisdom compared to God's

wisdom? Well, we look at several verses

such as Isaiah 55, which talk about God's wisdom.

It says their verses 8 through nine, for my thoughts are not

your thoughts. Neither are your ways.

My ways says the Lord brezza Heavens are higher than the

Earth. We so are my ways higher than

your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Now understanding that, it's just, could you imagine knowing

the mind of God and His Infinite, Wisdom and knowledge.

That be incredible. Just to go inside the mind of

God. We obviously know the, we cannot

know God's will about a matter unless he reveals it to us

because God's thoughts and ways are above ours and might be

completely different than our own ways and our own thoughts.

But also, we look at Jeremiah 10 verses 20 verse 23.

Jeremiah 10:20

It says, oh Lord. I know the way of man is not in

himself, it is not in man, who walks to direct his own steps.

So, Jeremiah, basically, say, man is not simply wise enough to

know how to live apart from God's will he needs guidance.

Now, oftentimes people will defend some religious practice

because it simply makes sense to them in their mind.

It's logical. I mean, why shouldn't we be

doing it a different way? It makes sense to them.

But here's the thing, if our human wisdom, except something,

then really, that proves nothing about whether or not God

approves of it, I mean, absolutely nothing.

In Proverbs 14:23 a 2012 there is a way that seems right to a

Proverbs 14:23

man but it's end is the way of death.

And so in our lives we frequently rely on the wisdom of

others to make good decisions. For example are you got all

kinds of specialists in the world?

You have mechanics, you have painters, you have roofers, you

have a, we have doctors, we have all these people that we go to

because they know more about that specific area than we two

and we rely upon their expertise in in life.

Well we trust them to make better decisions because Because

we lack knowledge and wisdom in those fields.

But in terms of religion, God warned us against following

human wisdom. And whenever we practice, or

allow things that are not revealed in the Bible, what

we're doing is we're following fallible.

Human wisdom instead of God's infallible, wisdom and we failed

to acknowledge God's expertise, in all things is what we're

doing. Now, let's look at the third

reason. Third reason of why all

religious Authority comes from God.

And it's because of the principle of worship.

Now, the purpose of worship is to please and glorify God, and

we honor and we respect him. For when we do what he says.

Now we all know what John 4:24 says.

John 4:24

We all know that God is spirit and those who worship Him must

Worship in spirit and Truth. We know that worship that

pleases, God must be directed by his truth, but building upon

that John writes, in John 17 and 17.

He says sanctify them by your truth.

Your word is truth. And so we know where we can

obtain the truth from. But also we also find that all

truth that is revealed to us in the gospel as Peter writes and

second Peter, one and three, he says, as his divine power has

given us to us, all things that pertain to life and godliness

through the knowledge of him who called us by glory and virtue.

And so having understood these things about truth and and and

and we're all truth comes from every religious practice is

based either on. One of two things, it's either

based on God's Authority or it's based on man's Authority.

Now, God did not originate a practice.

Then we can conclude that, man. Must have invented it.

Therefore making it unacceptable as a means of worship because

it's not truth. You know Matthew 15:9 as Jesus

Matthew 15:9

says there, he says that in vain, they worship me teaching

as doctrines the Commandments of men.

And that's what some people do nowadays.

They teach the doctrines of men. So if we do what men say to do

instead of what God says to do, it is then impossible to honor

and to respect God and worship and what we think might be

worship. Might just be vanity and just

nothing to God. now fourth reason that our religious

Authority comes from God, is because of the principle of love

Now, love when you think about it, it leads us to do what, what

pleases the one whom we love. Because we're motivated to do

something towards that being or that individual.

Well, biblical love when we talk about that, it requires that, we

keep God's Commandments. This is where a lot of people do

not really understand what love is all about when it comes to

loving God, they may proclaim the love God.

But let's see what the Bible says about how we do love God.

Because first John 5:3 says, for this is the love of God that we

1 John 5:3

keep his Commandments. And his Commandments are not

burdensome also 2nd 2nd. John 6 says, this is love that

we walk according to his Commandments now Understanding

that to invent unauthorized practices.

Is to show love for men and not love for God.

Because we're not following God's commands, you know Luke,

16 15 says and he said to them, you are those who justify

yourselves before men. But God knows your hearts for.

What is highly? Esteemed among men is an

abomination in the sight of God. So, doing what we want to

worship, you know, if I'm a Illustrated this way, it's kind

of like a man who who gives his chainsaw to his wife for her

birthday simply because that's what he wants.

Now when he does that, does he show love for his wife?

Well no, he doesn't so love for his wife.

He's sewing love for himself, it's a selfish Kind of Love.

Now, if we love God, we will do only he wants and not what we

want. People do what they want because

they have a selfish part of them of what they want.

Rather than being an excuse for overlooking.

What the Bible says, love is actually a reason for doing only

what the Bible says and leaving all other things.

Untouched and left alone because where is the truth.

Authorize such a thing. I think, the reason that our

religious Authority comes from God, is because of the principle

of Faith. Now, Faith, as we all know, is a

visible proof of our Assurance in God.

And if we are confident in God, we will seek to do his will in

all things. After all, when we look to

Hebrews chapter 11, it says in verse 6, but without faith, it

Hebrews 11 · chapter mention

is impossible to please him for, he who comes to God, must

believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of those who

diligently seek him. And so, we must seek to please

him. And we do that by faith.

But when we lose our faith based upon though, well, we know that

our faith is based upon God's word.

We know Romans 10:17. So then faith comes by hearing

Romans 10:17

and hearing what hearing by the word of God.

Now, also look at Proverbs 3 and verses 5 through 7 here.

Father 6, rather it tells us to trust in the Lord, with all your

heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways

acknowledge Him and He Shall direct your paths.

So now we get back to the source of where our guidance comes from

now to follow man-made doctrines.

Is there for the put our faith in man instead of putting our

faith holy in God, it is impossible to practice anything

by faith. If it cannot be found or

authorized by the Bible people who practice things that they

cannot find in the Bible. They're not putting their trust

Foley and God. Instead they put their faith in

the wisdom of men and to walk by faith.

It actually requires us to restrict ourselves to do only

what God has revealed For All Mankind.

Now, there's a sixth and final reason here of why all religious

Authority comes from God. And it's because of the

principle of authority. Now, the lordship of God Alone,

it requires that we do everything, according to his

authority, you know, Colossians 3:17 says, and whatever you do

Colossians 3:17

in word or deed. Do all the name of the Lord

Jesus. And so we see here to act in

Jesus name is really to submit to his authority because we look

to him for Authority, we look to him for guidance.

Now to do things that different from what God has said to do is

really to fail to abide by his authority, his do Authority.

You know, second John 9 says, whoever transgressions as Does

not abide in the doctrine of Christ.

Does not have God. He Who abides in the doctrine of

Christ has both the father and the son.

So we have two sides of the coin here.

We either abide or donor by, but there are consequences.

If we don't abide it Galatians 18, we find that the Apostle

Paul said that, even if we or an angel from heaven, preach any

other gospel to you, then what we have preached to you, let him

be accursed. And so from just these few

verses alone as our ultimate Authority, we are required.

It's not an option. We are required to obey God.

Now, I want to say this at this point we're talking about this

principle of authority, you know, when we study a practice

we should never have the logic or never have in mind when we're

studying something from the Bible.

Of saying we don't where does God say not to do this?

Because when you build, when you build like a practice or when

you're studying something with that logic, you then become to

rely upon Shaky Ground. But rather, when you study

something you need to ask the question, where does God's word

authorize such a thing or act or practice?

Where can I find in the Bible that we can do this?

We need to have that kind of understanding, when studying

such things had God, specifically itemize, all the

things that he did not want us to do.

I mean, would you imagine how huge the Bible would be?

It'd be enormous. But instead, God tells us what

he does want us to do. And everything else.

Is not authorized and unacceptable.

Now, having demonstrated through the principles of ownership,

wisdom, love Faith and worship and Authority.

That all religious Authority comes from God.

I don't take a quick look at how has made his will, is made known

to us today. You know, we look back to the

time of Jesus, Jesus prepared the way for New Testament

Christianity, when he at that time revealed, God's will the

man? It says in Hebrews 1 verses 1

Hebrews 1:1–2

through 2, it tells us that God who have Various times.

And in various ways spoke in time past by the van to the

father's by the prophets hath in these last days spoken to us by

how by his son. By his son.

We also find in Matthew 28:18, that Jesus, he possessed this

Matthew 28:18

Authority. When he reveals that all

authority has been given to me on heaven and on Earth, and not

only that, but as he's revealing, his will, or God's

will unto us as he does have this Authority.

We also find it in Ephesians 1 and verse 23.

That he has authority over the church because it says, and he

has put all things under his feet.

And gave him to be head, over all things to the church.

And so Jesus has established himself as having this type of

authority to reveal. God's will unto us.

Now when in the addition of the teaching of Jesus, it just

didn't stop there because we look to other scripture as they

reveal God's will to man as well.

You know, you look at John 16:13.

John 16:13

It says, we find that Jesus Promised the men who penned the

New Testament that the spirit will guide them.

All truth because it says however, when you when he the

spirit of Truth has come, he will guide you into all Truth

for. He will not speak on his own

authority, but whatever. He hears he will speak and he

will tell you things to come. So we must realize that the

other man of the, of the Bible, was it Paul?

Or Peter, James, John, Matthew, Mark, all those other guys did

it, right? Whatever they wanted to write,

they were guided. They were directed by way of the

Holy Spirit. Received his message from the

almighty God. It wasn't something that it was

just their own opinion about all the holy spirit's opinion about

now, we also see about the teachings of the New Testament

at what Paul wrote to Timothy and second Timothy 3:16-17.

2 Timothy 3:16–17

We find all scripture is given by inspiration of God, note that

all scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is

profitable for Doctrine for reproof for correction for

instruction in righteousness. Is that the mind of God may be

complete thoroughly equipped for every good work.

And then we find second Peter, 1:20-21 that no prophecy of

scripture is of any private interpretation for prophecy.

Never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as

they were what? As they were moved by the Holy

Spirit, not moved by their own emotion.

But by the Holy Spirit, you know, it's easy to see that God

has recorded his will in the Bible to guide Our Lives.

You know, you look at John 16:13 the Holy Spirit revealed all

John 16:13

truth to the apostles acts 20:20, Paul preach, the whole

Acts 20:20

counsel of God second Peter. We find that in Peters lap time

people, people received all things that pertain to life and

godliness James, 1:25, 25. We find that the word of Truth

is the perfect. I love Liberty, just from these

statements alone. And from other scripture, we do

not need to seek other revelation.

It's already been revealed to us.

And from it, we can learn that, which pleases God and that which

leads to Eternal salvation, And so, having gone over while

religious Authority comes from God and how was built, his will

has made known to us. I like to take a few practical.

Look at a few practical applications when it comes to

demonstrate the need for biblical Authority.

We go back to Genesis chapter 6. Genesis 6 and 14.

Genesis 6 · chapter mention

We find that God told Noah to make an ark of gopher wood. now,

when he mentions gopher wood, You think of other materials

metal or pine or walnut or any other material, it did not fit

the description of gopher wood now.

God did not expressly say not to use them, but they would have

been wrong because he said, used gopher wood and was silent about

all other materials. Now, had God wanted to leave

Noah free to use any kind of material.

He could have simply said to make an arc and If I had no

material at all and in that situation, Noah could have

chosen any kind of material. But once God, specified and

material, Noah was left with no other choice, but that material

now in contrast. God said to make an ark.

Now Noah could have used a hammer.

He could use a saw. He could use an ox cart to carry

the wood. He could use all kinds of tools

that Aid him in making and building the ark.

None of these things. Mention but they would have been

acceptable because Noah would have still been following the

command to make the ark. Now Having said that?

Let's bring a little bit closer to home now and talk about some

things and worship. In Ephesians 5:19.

Ephesians 5:19

We're told the sing Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs

making melody in our hearts to the Lord and everywhere the New

Testament. Passage that mentions Music In

Worship, it says to sing. To sing.

Nowhere. Does God ever say to play on

instruments? Now, to play on instruments,

then would fall outside the meaning of what God has said to

do. Then now, the fact that God

expressly said to sing, but nowhere, says a playing

instrument shows that they're displeasing.

But, you know, you may have had someone, you know, argue this to

you. Someone may say well the piano

that we have o it is it just an aide to the singing, the guitar,

what other at whatever other instruments they use?

All her. All they are just to help you

sing. Well know A piano is an aid to

play just as a guitar or drums would be and playing is a

different kind of music than singing.

Just like the pine is different from gopher wood with the ark.

The piano was unauthorized because when we use it, we are

doing something different from what God has said and authorized

to do, on the other hand, if we sing songs that we find in the

song book and read the notes to help us follow a Melody, we're

still doing what God said. We are singing and we are making

Melody in our hearts and the song book, all it is, is just a

legitimate Aid. In our song service unto him,

you know, you another factor that we can look at we find is

the collection and in 1st Corinthians, 16 verses 1 and 2.

God sent for the church to obtain funds, by taking up a

collection on the first day of the week and each person is to

give according to their prosperity now nowhere.

Did he say for churches to have rummage sales?

Or to have bake sales or to operate businesses.

Such as having a Bible bookstore of, putting out a coffee cart

out in front, to make a profit for the Lord's Church.

To do, these will be different from what he said likewise to

take up collections on some other day of the week, would

also be different from what God had specified.

We may not Ximena, have Express, you said not to do these things,

not to take up collection on Wednesday or Thursday or

whatever other day of the week, but when he said to take up

collections on the first day of the week, then we can know that

to do, otherwise would displease him.

Now, on the other hand God said, The first day of the week, but

no particular time is mentioned, nor does he mention that what

part of the service or what type of AIDS you can have, he didn't

mention the have it at the beginning of worship at them in

the middle of worship or towards the end of worship.

He didn't say any of that, he just said on the first day of

the week. Now, if we were to take a

collection at the beginning of, of Sunday services and whatever

type of container, whether it be a basket, whether it be a bag,

or whatever you could think of You know, those are they would,

we would still be doing what God says because all these things

are are just legitimate AIDS and what God has commanded for us to

do. Now.

Our last illustration tonight or this afternoon, is that of the

Lord's Supper? Now we find that Jesus

instituted this, and Matthew 26. And we also find an x 20 and 7

that we find. The church was told to partake

of the, on the Lord's Supper on the first day of the week

following the example that Jesus had demonstrated now to have the

supper on some other day the week or to change the example

that Jesus left, it would simply be doing different from what

Jesus had said, likewise to add any other types of food or to

change the loaf of unleavened bread or the fruit of the vine

to other things would, Also be duped, be doing different from

what Jesus had said as well. You don't God, specify bread and

God specified, the fruit of the vine and he and to do, otherwise

will displease him as surely using pine wood for the ark,

would have been displeasing to God.

Now, on the other hand, the size of the table or the clots to

cover them or using a plate to hold the bread.

He doesn't change the example at by Jesus nor does it change the

command by which we are given. These are simply legitimate

AIDS. To observing the Lord's Supper.

Now. In conclusion this afternoon.

When we understand the Bible principles, we realize that Many

religious practices are wrong even though they may not be

expressly forbidden, but at the same time, there are practices

that are, right? Even though they are not

expressly mentioned either. but whether a practice is right or

wrong or whether it is, whether it is a tool or not, or

legitimate Aid is determined by, whether it falls inside or

outside the meaning of God's terms of, which he has

instructed us, when we practice that which we cannot find in

God's word, what we do is we walk in the counsel of our own

hearts, We fail to honor God as our owner.

We fail to honor Jesus as the head of the church.

We fail to truly love and trust God, we failed to worship God

and Truth. We fail to respect the wisdom

and authority of God and just like that ship at the sea until

we change course. We're heading for Destruction.

Now, I don't say these things here, this afternoon, because I

think there's some things wrong here in the congregation,

certainly not. But it re-establishes, why we do

what we do. It's not like the members here

got together when this church was where this congregation was

established and said they were going to do it this way.

Simply because this is the way, the best way that we think would

be the most worshipful unto the Lord.

It's that didn't happen at this place.

The reason why we do the things that what we do is because these

are the things that we find authorizing God's word.

And we're going to do what God tells us to do, and no, other

means by our own infallible wisdom or fallible wisdom.

That we're going to do these things.

It all goes back to God's word. That's the standard. and if only

denominations could realize that We thank you for listening to

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